Rotary underreamer drill



Feb. 23 1926. 1,574,280

O. W. DICKERSON ROTARY UNDERREAMER DRILL original vFiled April 8. 1922 2 sheets-snee*v 1 vowtoz Feb; 23 192s.

O. W. DICKERSON ROTARY UNDERREAMER DRILL Original Filed April 8. 1922 2 Sheets-Sh-eewI 2 f fz. i12/4^ 'i7 l y# 3f@ Pater'lteclz-Feb.,23,n 19.26.`

uNiTEo STATES PATENT. loFFici-s..

oni/IAN W. DIcxnRsoN, on OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

ROTARY UN'DIEIEtREAlVIEIR.l DRILL.

Application led April 8,1922, Serial No. 550,830. `Renewed August 11, 1925.

To'all whom t may concern:

.Be it known that I, ORMAN W. DIGKER- soN, a citizen of the United States, resid" "ing at Oklahoma City, in the eountyof Oklahoma and State of Oklahoma, lhave invented certain new .and useful Improvements in Rotary Underreamer Drills, of vwhich Athe .following is a specification, ,reference being hadto the accompanying drawings.. i

This invention relates to improvements in rotary under 're-amer drills, andan important object of the invention is to provide means whereby the drill bits may be' with- I"drawn bodily froin'the drill shoe to permit snbstitnti'o'nvof a'coring device or the like without withdrawing the shoe from the bore.

A further object 4of the invention is vto provide in a device of this Character a drill shoe having blade openings throughwhich the cutting blades extend When in the operative position for engagement with the walls of the bore, together with means for collapsingfthe blades `so that they may be withdrawn through` the shoe.

A further object of the invention is -to provide a device of the abovey character wherein means are provided for aligning .the blades with the blade"receiving openmamarN p 1.

A still further objectof the invention 1S to provide means for circulating water about the bits while in operation so that the cuttings from the bit will be forced. upwardly between the wall of the bore andthe.

,"9 taken through a `rotary drillI constructed in accordance with my invention, the bits andhangcr bemg shown 1n elevatlon, the

views vbeing at right angles to one another;'

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the bits and hanger removed; i

'lines 10-10 and 11-11 of Figure 9 rel lligure 4 isa bottom plan vie-w of the cr1 I l Figure 5 is a vertical sectional through the drill shoe;

Figure is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the-line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7is a fragmentary detail showing the construction of the lowerl end of the grooves;

Figures 8 and 9 are side elevations .of the hanger detached, taken at right angles to one another; j

f Figures 10 and 11 are sections taken on view taken lnospectively; and Figure 12 is a plan View of the blade support.

Referring noW more particularly to thc drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a tubular drillA shoe having formed in the side walls thereof at the bottom, blade receiving openings 11 which are oppositely directed. lVithin 'the shoe adjacent the openings the wall of the shoe is -thickened to reduce the bore thereof to the size of the blade receiving openings, as at 12, the `upper surface of this enlargement being inclined downwardly to the edge of the blade vrea ceiving opening. as indicated at 13. The

upper -wall of the blade receiving opening. is inclined upwardly toward the interior of the shoe, as indicated at 14. The upper 'end of the shoe is threaded. as lat 15, `forven`` gagenient with a `drive pipe 16 to be operated from a-rotary drilling machine, not shown. The interior wall of the shoe a'd-` jacent the upper end thereof is provided'i with a pair of oppositely inclined groovesI 17, each extending about approximately a quarter of the circumference lof the interior .95V

of theshoeand having their adjacent ends overlapping, as shown. The lower walls of these grooves are abrupt, as at 18, and the upper walls inclinedlas at 19. Each of the grooves is provided at its lower end with 4af downwardly extending vertical branch 20, the lower wall of which inclines, as indicated j at 21. The purpose of the grooves 17 and of the peculiar construction thereof will hereinafter appeal'. Thenu- 105 meral 22 indicates av support slidably'litting within the bore `of vthe shoe 10 and provided with apacking groove 2 3 for the reception of a packing element for engagement against the interior walls of the shoe. The numeral 24'clesignates cutting blades, the upper surfaces of which are inclined, as at 25, in an upward direction to meet a shank portion 26, the upper ends of the shank portions being pivotally connected with the supend o f the drill shoe and by their engagiement therewith force the blades outwar into the openings 11 so that the cutting portions 30 thereof project without the shoe for engagement with the wallsof the bore.

The support 22 is provided with an axial opening 31 through which is directed the shank 32 of a hanger member 33. This hanger member has formed at its lower end a pair of offset vertical extensions 34 adapted to coact with the blades 24 and the Shanks 26 thereof in a manner hereinafter to be more fully described. These extensions 34 have at their upper ends shoulders 35 forming stops against which the support 22 engages when in its lowerniost position to` limit the downward movement thereof upon the hanger 33. Formed in the wall of the hanger shank 32 are by-pass grooves 36 of greater length than the vertical height of' the support 22 and' having their lower ends arranged immediately below the shoulders 35 so that when the support 22 is engaged against there shoulders, as it will be when the blades are being raised orqlowered in the shoe or drill pipe, the upper ends of the bypass grooves 36 are above the support and the lower ends thereof below so that fluid mayv pass from belowthe support 22 to a point above the support. l Extending vertically at the -sides of the hanger member or formed directly in the hanger member are water courses 37, the upper ends of which correspond with the upper ends of( the hanger member and thgeJ lower ends of which open through the lowerends of the extensions 34. .Y

Each extension 34 has mounted ini the face thereof which engages lagainst the wall of the bore of the shoe 10 a spring pressed button or lug 38 adapted for coaction with the grooves 17. As the hanger with the support 22 mounted thereon is loweredI into the bore, one of these buttons when arriving at the grooves 17 will align with one of the grooves and cause .rotation ofthe hanermember by' f its engagement therewith an more particthereof. The shank of the hanger member being irregular in cross section and being slidably engaged in the support 22, the support 22 is rotated and accordingly the blades 24 are shifted within the shoe. The engaged lower end of the shoe and are accordingly in Y position to enter their respective openings 11. As the hanger is being lowered into the well, the lower ends of the extensions 34 will engage against the shouldersV 28 at the inner faces of the Shanks 26 of their respective blades 24. Since the shoulders 28 of the blades are directed transversely of the well bore a positive seat for the lower end of the hanger is provided and even if the weight of the hanger be placed against these shoulders it cannot force the blades outwardly until the blades align with the opening of the shoe. When the blades are aligned with the openings and the inclined faces of the shoulders 29 thereof come into engagement with the respective inclined faces of the enlargements 12, the blades are forced outwardly and accordingly the shoulders 28 are withdrawn, releasing the hanger member for further downward movement. This downward movement brings the extensions 34 against the rear faces of the blades 24 completing the outward forcing of the blades and locking them in extended position.

In the operation of the device the drill shoe 10 is secured to the lower end of the tubular drill stock 16 in the usual manner and the assembled han er and support 22 with the blades is lace in the bore of the drill stock 16 an dropped therethrough. During its downward movement prior to the arrival of the blades 24 at the openings 11, one of the spring pressed buttons 38 comes into engagement with one of the grooves 17, as liereinbefore stated, rotating the device and aligning the blades. Further downward movement brings the shoulders 29 of the blades into engagement with noV vthe inclines 13 at the upper ends of the .wardly and limiting their downward movement. Continued lowering of the hanger results in the extensions 34 thereofl being kplaced intermediate the wall of the drill stock and the rear face of their respective blades, locking the blades in extended osition. W'hen 1n this position the shou ders 28 serve to support the hanger andlimit the downward movement thereof, receiving the lower end of the hanger proper when the ex'- tensions are a proximately aligned with the ularly against the abrupt lower v2.11 181ower end of tue slice, ,attention is directed thickened portions 12 forcing the blades out- 'to the fact that during lowering of the deby reason of the fact that the lower ends of the extension 34 have the water course openings thereof rranged to 4permit the passage of. this water upwardly l through the shank or ythrough channels carried by the shank of the hanger.' Furthermore when the device is being so lowered, 'the by-passes 3G are in operation to further relieve any back pressurev of water in the bore below the drill. lVhen, however,At-he portions of the device are in the drilling position and the hanger fully lowered the bypass grooves 36 are closed and water may only enter or passby the support 22' through the water courses 37. Since thesevby-passes open\through the bottom of the extensions 34, the water passing therefrom will be directed directly against the blades to remove the cuttings and force the same upwardly is directed against the inn between the outside of the shoe 10 and the wallof the bore which, as is well known, is

`usually p rotectedby a casing, not herein shown. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the water fromthe extensions er edge of the blade, creating a central downward current which will result in the cuttings from the blades being forced upwardly at the outer `edges of the bore, washing clean the edge of the bore and properly positioning these cuttings and the formed current for entrance between the lowerend of the well casing and the shoe or drive pipe. v'llhis feature when taken in conjunction with'the sealing of the bore of the shoe by the. support, results in a practically uninterrupted current for carry- Ying away the cuttings, it beinghere pointed out y'that Vwere the water permitted to go against the upper ends oftheblades .and the ports formed only through .the extensions,

,and to cause the cuttings the pressure applied to-the water to force the same into the well bore against the head 'would result in a gushing stream around the edgesof the blades at the points whei'ethey extend through the shoe, with the result that a counter current would be formed tending to act against the upwardly' acting current t settle again at the bottom of the bore. In withdrawing the tool, the initial movement, f thejhanger 33 again brings the Water courses 37 and by-passes` 36 intoplayg.z

to relieve the pressure of the water above the tool. After the shoulders 35 of the eX- tensions 34 engage the support 22, thel upward movement of the .assembled devicev will cause, by reason ofv the inclination o f the shoulders 25 at'the upper ends ofthe' blades 24 and inclined upper shoulders of the openings 11, an inward movement of the blades collapsing them within the bore so that they may be withdrawn longitudinally thereof.

past the packing gland 23r In the upward movement of the devicethe grooves 17 1n no manner interfere with the grooves are inclined, las at 19.

From Ythe foregoingit is believed to be obvious that a rotary under -reamer drill constructed in accordancewith my inven tion is particularly well adaptedv for the purpose for' which it is intended'by reason of the factthat the bladesdmay be withdrawn jto permit the use of -a different form of cutter therein when so desired `and by reason withdrawal since the 'upper Walls of the` of the fact that in. reinerting the blades` means are provided for autom ing the blades with the openings. The device is further efficient in that means are provided for relieving the resistant water pressure in raising-and lowering the blades in their insertion and removal, and 'for the reason that thev construction of the same is so. simple as to render the same extremely durable in service. It will furthermore be obvious thatmany changes are possible in the construction as hereinbefore set forth,

and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific construction l'except as hereinafter claimed. i

I claim: f

1. In a rotary under reamer drill, a drill shoe having a bore and provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a blade carrying support having a substantially Huid tight fit in the bore` of the shoe,

a 4hanger for said support vertically. shiftable through' the4 support and embodying portions which in 'elevated position of the hanger engage the support to suspend. the same, conduits by-passing the support when suspended by said portions and having their terminal portions arranged immediately above and below the support when the hanger is in said position and other con'- duits in saidl hanger by-passing the support at all times. I

2. In arot-ary under reamer drill, a drill shoe having a bore and provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving. o enings, a 'blade carryil'ig'support having a su stautially fluid?tight@f iitfin the bore .of .the shoe, a hanger for said support ,vertically shiftable through the support,l and' coacting means upon the hanger and support preventing rel- .ative .movement thereof. said eoactiug means .being released to permit movement of the hangerrelatively to the support .onlyrupon complete`extension off the blades of the support into ythe shoe. i 3. In a rotary under reamer drill, 'a drill `shoe-having abore and provided iu the `walls' thereof withhlade receiving openings, a blade carrying support having a substantially fluid tight iit in the .bore of the/shoe, va .hanger for said support vertically shiftable through the support, coactng means atically aligntheblade receiving 'openings of Cil water from above the support and directing the same in streams against Said blades.

4. In a rotary under reamer drill, a drill shoe provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a blade carrying support shiftable within the shoe, blades carried thereby extensible through the openings, and coacting means upon said blades and shoe for limiting t-he Idownward movement of the blade carrier and blades and for shifting the blades outwardly through saidv openings, a downwardly moving locking part for locking the blades in extended position, rnd means upon the blades preventing ydownward movement of the locking part rntil the blades are extended.

5. In a rotary under reamer drill, a drill shoe provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a blade carrying support shiftable within the shoe, blades carried thereby and extensible through 'the openings, coacting means upon said blades and shoe for limiting the downward movement of the blade carrier and blades and for shiftingr the blades outwardly through said openings, and means for locking the blades in extended position inoperable until the blades are fully extended.

6. In a Vrotary under reamer drill, a drill4 Ashoe providedl in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a bladeV carrying support longitudinally shiftable within the shoe, blades pivoted to the support and eir-v tensible through the openings, and eoaeting means upon said blades and shoe for l1m1ting the downward movement of the bla-de carrier and blades and extendingsaid blades through said openings, comprising inwardly directed shoulders formed on said shoe adjacent said openings, the upper walls of 'said shoulders -inclining downwardly to the openings, and ma shoulder formed on each of said blades for coactionlwith a shoulder of the shoe, said shoulders inclining downwardly toward theouter edges of the blades.

7. In' a rotary under reamer drill. a drillA shoe "provided vin the walls tliereifwithi lblade receiving openings` ay blade VAcarrying support longitudinally shiftable within the .shoe` blades pivoted to the support and ex-- tensible through ,the openings, and eoacting means upon said blades and shoe for limiting' the dewavard movement af the blade @se rier andvblades and exten-ding said blades through said openings, a support for said blade carrier having an engagement therewith permitting vertical shifting through the blade carrier, means upon the support limiting upward movement thereof with relation to the blade carrier, means upon the blades engaging the support when in uppermost position and preventing downward movement thereof until said blades are fully engaged in said openings, and means upon the support engaging betweenv the blades and the shoe when the blades are in extended position and the support is lowered for locking said blades against return movement throughY said openings. .f

8. In a rotary under reamer drill, a drill shoe provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a blade carrying support longitudinally shiftable within the shoe, blades pivoted tothe support and eX- tensible through the openings, and coacting means upon said blades and shoe for limiting the downward movement of the blade carrier and blades and extending said blades through said openings, asupport for said blade carrier having an engagement therewith permitting vertical shifting through the blade carrier, means upon the support limiting upward movement thereof with relation to the blade carrier, means upon the blades engaging the support when in uppermost position and preventing downward movement thereof until said blades are fully engaged in saidopenings, means upon the support engaging .between the vblades and the shoe when the blades are in extended position and the support is lowered for locking said blades against return movement through said openings, said blade carrier having a fluid tight fit within said shoe, said hanger having ports formed therethrough from the upper end thereof to and extend-A ing through the bottom of the blade locking means forming means for by-passing water and directing the same upon the blades vwhen the support is in lowered position.

9. In a rot-ary under rea-mer drill, a drill shoe provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings,l a vblade carrying support longitudinally shiftable within the shoe. blades pivoted to the support and'extensible through the openings, and eoacting means upon said blades and shoe for limiting the4 downward movement ot' the blade carrier and blades and extending said blades through said openings, a support for said blade carrier having an engagement there- `with permitting vertical shifting through the blade carrier, 'means upon the support limiting upward movement thereof with relation to the blade carrier. means 'upon the blades engaging the support when 1n uppermost position and preventing downward movement thereof until said blades 'are fully -the supportV engaging 4walls thereof with blade ings, a blade carrier shiftable in the bore ot engaged in saidopenings. means upon the the bottom of the blade locking means form.

ing means for liv-passing water and directing the saine upon the blades when the sup.- port in lowered position. said hanger having grooves formed therein -formiiig additional means for li v-passing water b v said support when the hanger is iii elevated p0- sition. said grooves being inoperative to bypass water when the hanger is in.. lowered position.

10. In a rotary under reamer drill, a drill shoe provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a blade carrying support longitudinally sliiftable within the shoe, blades pivoted to the support and extensible through the openings`- and coaeting means upon 'said blades and shoe for limiting the downward movement ofthe blade carrier and blades and extending said blades through said openings, a suppoit for said blade carrier having an engagement therewith permitting vertical shifting through the blade carrier, means upon the support limiting upward movement thereof with relation to the blade carrier, means upon the blades engaging the support when in uppermost position and preventing downward movement thereof until said blades are fully engaged in said openings, and means upon between the blades and the shoe when the blades are in extended position-and the support is lowered for locking said blades against return movement through said openings, said means upon the blades coacting with said hanger when in lowermost position to limit the downward movement thereof. i 1l. In a rotanv under reamer drill, a drill shoe having a bore and receiving opensaid shoe embodying pivoted blades adapted having a ried by provided in the to be extended through said openings, coj acting means upon openings, a `locking part for locking the blades in extended position shiftable through said carrier and means upon the blades'preventing movement of said locking part until the blades are in fullv extended position.

12. In a rotary under reamer drill,y a drillshoe having a bore and provided in the walls thereof with blade receiving openings, a

said blades and shoe for extending the blades outwardly into said blade carrier shiftable in the bore of said shoe embodying pivoted blades adapted to be extended through said openings, enacting means upon said blades and shoe for extending tlie blades outwardly into said openings, a locking part for locking the blades `in extended said carrier, and means upon the blades preventing movement of said locking part until position shiftable through.

the blades are in fully extended position,

said means subsequently serving to limit the movement of the locking part to locking position. t i

13. In a rotar5v under lreamer drill, a drill shoe having a bore, a sup ort slidable within the bore, blades pivotay connected with the support, said drill shoe-having ceiving openings with which the blades are alignable. a hanger for said support, means carried bv the 'hanger and coacting with the blade reshoe for aligning the blades with the blade receiving openings during movement of the blades toward the openings, and means carsaid hanger :for lockin the blades in extended position within t e openings comprising depending portions carried by said hanger and aligning with each o-f said blades 'and' adapted to extend between a wall of the shoe and the coacting blade when the blade is in extended position, said blades being provided with a shoulder engaged by the lower end of the coacting depending portion of the hanger to limit movement of the hanger relative to the vblades prior to the engagement of the blades in the blade receiving openings of the shoe.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature.

ORMAN w. DioKnn'soN. 

